Pennsburg Borough Council is currently facing a $175,000 shortfall. The deficit remains from a decision by East Greenville officials earlier this year not to contract with the Upper Perk Police Department, according to council President Kris Kirkwood.

During Tuesday's council meeting, Kirkwood read aloud a text message from Council Vice President, Frederick Schutte, Jr. as part of the Finance Committee report.

"A loan is not an option," Kirkwood said during the meeting. "We need to come up with some ideas in July."

According to Kirkwood, Pennsburg Council needs to develop some substantive proposals to make up that shortfall. Moments before an executive session where the members discussed contractual issues, Kirkwood said he had a few ideas, but declined to disclose them.

"We haven't settled on anything concrete," he said. "We need to do that at the next meeting. It's time to start thinking about next year's budget."

In other news, an owner of a Pennsburg pharmacy received final plan permission to expand the facility. Council voted unanimously to grant David Stone final plan approval of his submission for Professional Pharmacy, 931 Main Street.

The applicant plans on installing a 244-square foot storage area and a pick-up window in the rear of the current structure and 25 additional parking spaces to the right, according to engineer Scott Camburn.

Additionally, Stone has agreed to install an underground storm water storage system, Camburn told council. The developer asked to defer planting of the trees required by the land development plan.

The applicant submitted a sketch plan for the proposal July 8, 2016, according to Administrative Manager Lisa Hiltz.

Member Robert Seville reported that James McVeigh, one of two officers laid off April 26 from the Upper Perk Police Department, started a new job Monday with the Lansdale Police Department.

The Upper Perk police responded to 462 total calls and services rendered in May, according to information provided by Acting Chief Joe Adam, Jr. The department reported six criminal incidents. They included two for public drunkenness/disorderly conduct and one each for a motor vehicle theft, a narcotics violation, a sex offense and vandalism/criminal mischief.

Serving the municipalities of Bally, East Greenville, Green Lane, Hereford, Lower Salford, Marlborough, Milford, New Hanover, Pennsburg, Red Hill, Trumbauersville, Upper Hanover, Upper Salford
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